Sleep Physiologist Registration

Sleep Physiologist workforce in New Zealand

Sleep Physiologists in New Zealand practice in both major public hospitals, private hospitals and in private practice.

The professional society for sleep physiologists in New Zealand is the Australia and New Zealand Sleep Science Association (ANZSSA) link to ANZSSA website

NZ Professional Development Outline for Sleep Physiologists

Entry to Practice

Undergraduate degree in science or physiology

------(apply for registration with conditions) ------

Post Graduate development
  1. Completion of Post Graduate Diploma of Medical Technology with specialisation in Sleep Medicine (University of Otago Wellington), or equivalent sleep qualification (as approved by the CPRB Sleep chairs)
  2. Completion of the New Zealand Sleep Certification examination (NZSCE) or the Australia & NZ Sleep Science Association competency exam.
  3. Two years full time equivalent working in a training position to include on-the-job training and competency assessment in core sleep diagnostics and therapy procedures including but not limited to polysomnography (attended/unattended), limited/home sleep testing,  therapy titration procedures, multiple sleep latency testing, maintenance of wakefulness testing, CPAP initiation and ongoing monitoring,  Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) initiation and ongoing monitoring, arterial blood gas testing, scoring/analysis of diagnostic procedure data, and  interpretation of therapy adherence data procedures.
  4. Submit a 2-year CPD portfolio compliant with CPRB standards.

All 4 elements are required for registration as a Clinical Physiologist in Sleep without conditions.

 ------(apply for condition of supervision to be lifted from APC)------

Competency standards for Sleep Physiologists

The competency standards for sleep physiologists are set by Australia and New Zealand Sleep Science Association (ANZSSA). They were last updated in 2014.

To download o copy of the standards click on the link:

Competency standards Sleep Physiologist - 2014

Overseas trained Sleep Physiologists

  • For overseas trained sleep physiologists with less than 5 years experience, the registration pathway is the same as the NZ Professional Development Outline for Sleep Physiologists. Non-science based tertiary degrees will need to be approved by the CPRB Sleep chairs.
  • For overseas trained sleep physiologists with 5-10 years experience:
    • Must have a degree level sleep specific qualification.
    • Must have RPGST or equivalent (as approved by CPRB Sleep chairs).
    • Must be a member of ANZSSA.

------(apply for registration with conditions) ------

Further development for Overseas trained

  1. Completion of the New Zealand Sleep Certification examination (NZSCE) or the Australia & NZ Sleep Science Association competency exam.
  2. Submit a 2-year CPD portfolio compliant with CPRB standards

Both elements are required for registration as a Clinical Physiologist in Sleep without conditions.

 ------(apply for condition of supervision to be lifted from APC)------

For anyone with >10 years sleep experience registration will be considered on a case by case basis with the following conditions:

  • Degree in Science or higher.
  • Evidence of sleep experience.
  • Must have a clinical sponsor.
  • ANZSSA member.
  • Can ask to sit the NZSCE/ANZSSA exam by dispensation.
  • Registration without conditions is reliant on:
    • Passing the sleep competency exam and
    • 2-year CPD portfolio compliant with CPRB standards